Easton Press Limited Editions (2)

Since the first thread had gotten a bit long, I thought maybe we should continue in a newer thread! EP updated their catalog, and added one limited edition (which is not news to us). Cassell's Illustrated Family Edition:

http://www.eastonpressbooks.com/leather/product.asp?code=2564

Here is the current status on Limited Editions:

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425 -$600 (SOLD OUT)
King James Bible -limited to 400 -$600 (a few left)
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250 -$500
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500 (SOLD OUT)
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500 -$200
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600 -$450
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800 -$396
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597 (SOLD OUT... so sad)
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800 -$396
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800 -$356

Anyone know the stock number on the King Arthur? Its not on site yet and I might order it soon.

Anyone ordering the Cassell's?

King Arthur LE is 2671.

I am still trying to get over the sticker shock of LE. I've not actually seen any in person... do they really justify the price?

The Kelmscott certainly does justify the price, its incredible. The Crusades were pretty nice as well. Midsummer was a little bit of a let down, and don't know about the the Notebooks yet, as I haven't had time to open them up. Maybe I'll go do that now.

It would be interesting to see what EP is learning about publishing these LEs. The multi-book editions seem to sell out rather fast as did the Kelmscott. However, I note that Midsummer Night's Dream is still available despite it being the most limited of the bunch. I do agree that this was probably overpriced for what it was, but there are some aspects of this book that I really liked. I wonder if Midsummer hasn't sold as well due to both the price and also due to it being a single work of Shakespeare rather than a collection of works.

You can probably read quite a bit into why one edition sells out more quickly, this always keeps you on your toes when it comes to EP and knowing when to order a volume you really want.

Anyone care to guess what EP does with copies of LE's that don't sell out? Recycle/remainder them? -or have they not been on offer long enough (one year plus a few months since the Kelmscott Chaucer) to tell?

I do wonder about all the damaged copies that get sent back. I would think undamaged copies sit on a shelf until sold no matter how long that takes.

I agree that EP keeps books until they sell. I've never see them have a sale like Folio Society. I, much like Wootle, have wondered what they do with their damaged books. Does anyone know if they have a warehouse sale for employees or something? If they did have any really old books that they couldn't sell, like The Greatest Kitten Photos of 1980, I would imagine that would also be where they quietly dispose of marketing mistakes.

Books that do not sell are likely given away as incentives (that I know for a fact), and perhaps given to employees, however I don't know what EP would do to make sure employees do not turn around and just sell the books (I believe that is illegal, and in the least not in the best interest of EP). As for LEs that do not sell out, there is no such thing. EP will sit on them until they do sell out, which honestly does not appear to take long at all! If you see a LE you really want, my advice is not to wait because it will sell out before you know it :)

Apparently the Indian Tribes is sold out... and no one here purchased it? I find that hard to believe! And so, once again, I request that pics be posted and please tell us your thoughts about the volumes!

>11 astropi:, iluvbeckett purchased it per their post #130 on the previous thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/92691

I didn't get this one but would love to see some pics as well.

Working on it, I'll post a new thread with pics.

Do we have pictures on here of all the other availible limiteds? I remember seeing the Notebooks, Kelmscott, and I think the Crusades somewhere or other. Has KJB 1611 been loaded? I haven't received Meditations yet, don't know if anyone has.

I forgot about Midsummer, have those been posted anywhere?

I found where Hamletscamaro posted pics of Meditations.

Okay, here is Astropi's list with links to the relevant postings with the related photos:

Here is the current status on Limited Editions:

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425 -$600 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400 -$600 (a few left) Photos????
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250 -$500 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500 -$200 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600 -$450 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800 -$396 Ships approx Feb 16
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597 (SOLD OUT... so sad) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800 -$396 Ships approx Jan 15th
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800 -$356 Ships approx March 21

So I think that only leaves one book, the King James Bible, for which we may not have photos. If there have been, someone please correct me. If not, I may be able to post later.

I could take photos of the KJB as well if you don't have time. I can't find them posted on here anywhere.

Please do Wootle. I don't know if I will be able to until sometime later next week. It will be nice to have pictures of all of the books.

Cassell's Bible looks like it will ship this week for those who have ordered it.

Okay, I'll get it done tomorrow. I'm not ordering Cassells, but definetely will get The Divine Comedy, that should be pretty good.

Since Wootle has posted pics of the KJB, we can complete our list:

Here is the current status on Limited Editions:

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425 -$600 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400 -$600 (a few left) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107377#
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250 -$500 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500 -$200 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600 -$450 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800 -$396 Ships approx Feb 16
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800 -$396 Ships approx Jan 15th
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800 -$356 Ships approx March 21

Did you order the Cassells? Looks like that will be next up.

I went back on forth on whether or not to order the Cassell's edition, but went ahead and put in my order, mostly because I really enjoy Dore's classic illustrations. I definitely wanted the Divine Comedy and couldn't pass that one up. However, I have to quit these LEs as I need to buy some of Easton's other books that I have been holding off on since there are only so many dollars to go around and I have been way over my regular budget. This news group is a bad influence.

I passed on the Cassells so I could buy The Raven and The Faerie Queene.

New LE set flyer received today. Lincoln, A History. 10 Volume set limited to 400 sets, 4 payments at $249.75 each. I think #2725.

A superb reprinting of the historic 1890 biography of Abraham Lincoln, by John G Nicolay and John Hay.

This will be a good one. It will sell out fast, I believe, even at $999.

Edited:
Just talked to EP, no known date for shipping, she guessed maybe 6 weeks.

> 23

Fortunatly not interested in it in my case is all I can say considering the price. Though of course about 1000 USD for 10 volumes isn`t that bad considering it is a LE, so I am happy for those who are interested :-)

Interesting to see how heavily they push the LE, and eventhough I am as I said not interested in this one I wonder how many they will publish before it starts to feel a bit to much/many if ever.

Almost like an inflation in LE's, not that it reflects itself in the prices though.

Wootle would you be able to scan the flyer please?

Thanks Wootle, anyone familiar with these books? Are they considered the best Lincoln biography?

From Amazon on vol 1:

Product Description
Considered one of the best treatments of the presidency of Abraham Lincoln of its time, this portrait of the man and his administration of the United States at the moment of its greatest upheaval is both intimate and scholarly. Written by two private secretaries to the president and first published in 1890, this astonishingly in-depth work is still praised today for its clear, easy-to-read style and vitality. This new replica edition features all the original illustrations. Volume One covers: • the Lincoln lineage from the late 18th century • Lincoln's boyhood in Kentucky and Indiana • his experience in the legislature and his early law practice • Lincoln's early opposition to slavery • "The Shields Duel" • the campaign for Congress • "civil war" in Kansas • and much more. American journalist and statesman JOHN MILTON HAY (1838-1905) was only 22 when he became a private secretary to Lincoln. A former member of the Providence literary circle when he attended Brown University in the late 1850s, he may have been the real author of Lincoln's famous "Letter to Mrs. Bixby." After Lincoln's death, Hay later served as editor of the *New York Tribune* and as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom under President William McKinley. American author JOHN GEORGE NICOLAY (1832-1901) was born in Germany and emigrated to the U.S. as a child. Before serving as Lincoln's private secretary, he worked as a newspaper editor and later as assistant to the secretary of state of Illinois. He also wrote *Campaigns of the Civil War* (1881).

http://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-History-Vol-volumes/dp/1605206687/

Heres a better overview:
http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jala/19.1/burlingame.html

Thanks for those links Wootle, a bit disappointed at the partisan tone of such an extensive work. Not sure if its worth devoting a shelf to.

I recently came across the following statement written by H.L. Mencken in "Roosevelt: An Autopsy" (published in Prejudices: Second series):
"Even Lincoln is yet to be got vividly between the covers of a book. The Nicolay-Hay work is quite impossible; it is not a biography, but simply a huge storehouse of biographical raw materials; whoever can read it can also read the official Records of the Rebellion.

I have recently read several Lincoln biographies and am about to start on Abraham Lincoln: A Life by Michael Burlingame. All have made use of the Nicolay-Hay volumes, but I'm not sure I want to own it.

I also think the statement by E/P that Lincoln fully authorized it is suspect.

I will pass on this one. Now, had EP released a one, two, even 3-volume set chronicling Lincoln, that might have been different. 10 Volumes is a bit too much for me. I also don't have anywhere in the vicinity of $1000 to spend on a LE. Of course for 10-volumes it's not a terrible deal, but still $100 per volume is expensive. I honestly don't see why this is a LE? The other LEs had special full-color illustrations, or high-quality B&W illustrations (such as Dore), but this honestly does not look like anything that would warrant such a price (clearly I say this without actually having seen the finished work. Just my impressions so far).

I purchased the 6 volume Abraham Lincoln by Carl Sandburg last year, which I see has since sold out, and I think that will more than suffice for me. Sandburg gets good reviews on his set and This 10 volume set looks impressive and interesting, but the price is more than I want to pay given some of the other LE priorities. But I do agree with you, astopi, I don't think the price is unreasonable for a 10 volume set.

Thanks for the posting Wootle. Interesting to see.

EP published has published this in the past. I had intended to purchase it back then, but didn't and they stopped publishing it. This new LE appears to be the same except for the binding.
I will more than likely purchase this right away. Especially considering that the version that Wootle linked to is $45 a volume paying $100 a volume for a quality product doesn't seem that bad. Now if EP would just republish the 7 volume biography of Washington by Douglas Southall Freeman.

>33 cweller:

I think you are confusing this set with 'The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln', which was also a ten volume set, but not the same ten works as are included in 'Abraham Lincoln: A History'. This set has never been published by Easton Press and apparently won't be again when these are gone.

But your mistake does raise the question that I asked before. How many sets of the 'The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln' were published, and will they ever print that set again? I'm beginning to wonder if Easton Press isn't simply charging a hefty premium for the printed promise to never publish the set again when, in fact, they probably wouldn't publish it again anyway.

Wail, is this set of limited editions Easton's first foray into the category, i.e. starting with the Kelmscott Chaucer?

>34 wailofatail: No, I didn't confuse the two sets. This was published quite a few years ago though. I've been buying EP books for about 20 years now. In fact when I called EP tonight they were able to find the old non-LE in the database, which of course was out of print but not the new LE version. They informed me to call again in the morning and talk to the customer service reps to order.

>36 cweller: Well, I've learned that you folks know your stuff too well to question you so I'll question E/P instead. You and I are of about the same vintage with regard to collecting E/P and I have never seen this set promotionally and, more importantly, in actuality. As you are likely aware, some advertised sets never make it to print, even though they exist in E/P's data base. SilentinaWay, Indigosky, Tom41 ... help me out here. Can anyone confirm a previous edition of this set? Cweller, if you happened to have saved the brochure please scan and share. I always love discovering something I've missed.

If this set has been published previously doesn't it sort of defeat the purpose of a Limited Edition? What next, a limited edition of 'The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written'?

>35 Highgate: About what category are you inquiring? Limited Editions? If that is what you mean, then yes, the Kelmscott Chaucer was the first premium priced offering marketed specifically as a limited edition late in 2009. They have been introducing new limited editions at an alarming rate since. Astropi and hamletscamaro have listed those offered for sale so far here.

35> EP had done deluxe editions before. EP had done limited, numbered editions before. However, as wailofatail points out, the Kelmscott is the beginning of the "deluxe, limited" trend.

What I am going to say next might upset some collectors. The Kelmscott Chaucer, in my opinion, is the only one of the recent crop of limited editions that deserves to be called deluxe. The cover is amazing -- the textured leatherwork is like nothing else I've seen out of Easton Press. You open up the clamshell case and a choir of angels starts singing in the background. As you lift the book out of the case, you begin to feel the warmth. This book has serious aura. You open the cover, feel the pages between your fingers (the linen content is so high that it feels more like cloth than paper)--and you get it, you just get it: This is the apotheosis of Easton Press bookmaking! The bar has been set -- This is what every Easton Press book could be if price were no object.

Compared to the Kelmscott, the other deluxe, limited editions that I've seen have been relative disappointments. If I had never seen the Kelmscott, I would probably have been very happy with these books. They feel like larger versions of regular Easton Press books (with beveled edges, somewhat nicer paper and a slipcase). Each edition has some aspect of distinction--facsimile of a famous edition, tipped-in pictures, extremely large size, etc. Being numbered, limited editions, I don't doubt that they are worth the money we pay. But they're definitely no Kelmscott.

Perhaps it's a money thing. Perhaps the folks at EP didn't make enough money on the Kelmscott, yet are afraid of pricing anything higher. I don't know. If anyone from EP is reading this thread, however, I'd like them to know that some of us aren't fooled. We can see the difference. We can feel the difference. If you make the best books in the world, people will buy them. If you continue to make what feel like larger versions of a volume from the Collector's Library of Famous Editions, collectors may eventually decide that they are not worth the deluxe price tag.

37>

The only multi-volume Lincoln sets I can recall are the 10-volume collected works and the 6-volume edition of the Sandburg biography. I looked through nire than a dozen old Easton Press catalogs (including some from before they started putting the date on the cover) -- none of them had the Nicolay and Hay set. This doesn't mean that it was never published--just that I can't find any references to it.

38: you raise a good point. Money, vs affordability. I think EP is still experimenting with the LEs, and they are having quite the success. The Kelmscott Chaucer, being the first, was a litmus test, and they did exceedingly well. The second, Midsummer Night's Dream, is likely somewhat of a failure. Although only 250 were printed, they have not sold out. I have personally not seen MND, but my guess is that it's of the same caliber as the Kelmscott (should be, it cost almost the same amount but has a far smaller number of pages). Next, EP went back to a HUGE edition, and released History of the Crusades, which quickly sold out. I think EP realized that people will pay top dollar for high-quality LEs, but to a limit. People want to feel like they're getting their money's worth. What you said is correct, if money was no issue then we would insist that every book be as good if not better in every way than the Kelmscott. However, money is an issue, and EP has to respect the fact that people will still pay a lot of money for LEs, but again so long as they feel it is worth it. I believe that is why Meditations is $200 as opposed to the $500 that was MND. Personally, I think EP is on the right track with these LEs. I think Meditations is beautiful, and as long as they keep releasing such editions, I shall be happy. Consequently, History of the Crusades is also superb, and I hope EP continues to release such large editions as well. Now of course, they are testing the waters with the Lincoln set. Will it sell (ie sell out)? I honestly don't know. I think eventually it will, but if I had to guess, I would guess it will be a year or two before it sells out. I look forward to seeing what other LEs EP has in the works!

Did Easton ever make a non deluxe limited edition of the Michaud's History of the Crusades?

>37 wailofatail:

Item 2140 is the Nicolay Hay Lincoln set. It is still on the website. The picture shows nine volumes at $75 each. It was the Lincoln Bicentennial Edition, which would date it as 2009. I don't know if it was actually published.

I forgot the shipping cost, so the total comes to $79.95.

>42 Tom41: Hahah, looks like EP is being clever, realising that they can demand a premium for limited editions rather than selling these books as regular editions they're calling them limited editions to earn an extra $25/book.

42- Now that is dissapointing, that really bothers me that they have published this set before. Don't know how there can only be 9 instead of 10 books though. I don't know if I will buy it.

38- SilentInAWay, I definetely agree with you about the Kelmscott, it is far above any of the other limiteds, and should be the way they are all made, all of the other LEs have been a let down in comparison to it.

>42 Tom41: 2009!?! And here I was, looking through my undated EP catalogs from the early-mid 90s.

>42 Tom41: I couldn't find the set advertised in any of the 2009 catalogs. I should guess that it was never published. The LE set, offered to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's presidency, seems to be identical to the former set except for some very minor changes to the spines; the LE also has marbled endsheets instead of moire. The cover designs are the same.

>43 Highgate: I agree. I see nothing that makes this offering special except for the 400 copy limit and the copy number.

Wow, this has really been an educational thread! In addition to other comments, I couldn't find any listing for this book or series in any after market sale searches, which normally you can find sets or single volumes sold individually. Not to say that this rules out this set being sold before, but it does lend some credence to the possibility that this set was advertised but then never published. EP may have changed plans and determined it was better to release as a LE given the 150 anniversary.

> 42 Aha! So it is and so I stand corrected. At least this time I don't have to eat my words. ; )

I still question if it was ever published and will until I see a living copy somewhere but this unquestionably qualifies for the archives as an unconfirmed edition. Thanks cweller, SilentInAWay, and Tom41.

Is it possible that the 'Limited Edition' of this set is the realization of what was going to be the bicentennial edition? Perhaps they simply didn't get it to print on time for the bicentennial and, realizing the success of the 'Limited Editions', decided to resuscitate it as such. Just a theory, of course, but it plays into my musings regarding just how real the difference is between limited editions from other presentations Easton Press offers in regard to both the quantities printed and the probability E/P will reprint them again in the future. SilentInAWay's remarks regarding the seeming lack of meaningful differences in quality and craftsmanship also lend themselves to this line of questioning.

We've all noticed E/P revamping their business model of late to meet increased competition from more readily accessible second-hand venues. First it was an increasing offering of coffee table books in lieu of more traditional literature. Then came the introduction of the 'Reader's Choice' subscriptions comprised mostly of previously released editions sprinkled with a few new offerings from which subscribers could select books ala carte. Then it was the cancellation of several long standing monthly subscription collections with handfuls of books from the cancelled collections offered for sale individually at higher prices. And now 'Limited Editions, which, with the exception of the Kelmscott', might very well be any other Easton Press offering except for the "Limited" label. Could 'Limited Editions' simply be a clever way of seducing us collector's into paying more for the same thing for which we've been paying all along? My sense is that Easton Press is simply raising their prices to counter decreasing volume but are doing so, tactfully, in a way that appears to provide added value, even though there may not be any real additional value at all.

To counter, I am going to refocus my purchases on titles in which I have the greatest interest, regardless of how many they plan to publish and take value more into consideration. It is my personal opinion that 'Lincoln: A History' does not warrant limited edition status, (especially if it has been published previously,) and truthfully, I don't want to encourage this new strategy of charging higher prices for promises to cheat demand.

I'm thinking what wailofatail is thinking.

EP is simply taking books they planned to publish, but didn't, and writing numbers on them. Essentially, you LE fans are paying good money for a handwritten number (at least with some of these LE's). In my opinion, a LE should be "special" like the Kelmscott or even the Crusades. I don't see the point of spending big $ on books that look no different from regular EP books with a number and a promise to not publish it again. Just judging from the pictures, I don't see anything extra special about the Indian Tribes books (granted I haven't seen them in person). They look like regular EP books to me.

As I've said before, I'm not a big fan of LE's because of the price tag, but I do appreciate the beauty of the books when they have that extra special LE touch, like the Kelmscott. Personally, I wish EP would make Special Editions rather than Limited Editions; that is, a book with an extra special touch, but not quite as high a price. I tend to think the limited edition concept is silly whether you're talking about books or anything.

Having said that, I'd probably go wobbly in the knees if they ever published a LE Pride & Prejudice (but not if it looked like the regular EP P&P I have on my shelf).

Is it just me, or does anyone else just start plugging in numbers on the end of that URL to see what secrets they might find? :)

I find it curious that we just found out about this LE yesterday, and it has a page today. Where as we have known about King Arthur, and the Divine Comedy for months but yet they have no pages made for them. Whats up with that?

Well, I'm relieved to know that I hadn't imagined the set, was starting to wander for a minute there. It would be quite interesting to find out if they ever really published these though. As far as the price goes, I don't think it's that bad. $100 a volume compared to the books listed on Amazon for $45 doesn't seem to high.

Personally, I do NOT want to see every LE being similar to the Kelmscott. After about 5 books, I would be out of space. Secondly, I would have absolutely no money for food nor rent. That being said, a LE is just that, limited. No more will be published. The fact that it is hand numbered tells you exactly how many were printed. Also, EP makes sure that their LEs are of the highest quality. I'm not sure why people are complaining. I just looked over hamlets' pics of Meditations, and the more I look at it the more impressive it becomes. Not to mention that for $200 it's also AFFORDABLE.

How different is Meditations from Kelmscott? Let's see Meditations uses Mohawk Superfine paper (as does Kelmscott). Meditations uses Italian leather (as does Kelmscott). Meditations has moire endsheets, and Kelmscott has marbled. I will say I prefer the marbled, so this is one minor point for Kelmscott. Meditations has hand-tipped high quality color plates (Kelmscott does not). Meditations has glassine tissues over every illustration (Kelmscott does not). Meditations comes in a protective slipcase (Kelmscott has a clamshell since it's too large for a slipcase).

So frankly, comparing the two, I see no difference in quality.

Just to add my two cents here (and it may not be worth more), I do actually have many of these LEs and I have been generally pleased to date. I do think that the Kelmscott is the standard by which I compare the others. Astropi, I can't remember if you have the Kelmscott or not, but you really have to FEEL this book to fully appreciate the craftsmanship. This is a great piece and I still think Easton lost money on this book. The paper alone is wonderful to touch; it feels like lit has a high linen content. The cover is deeply embossed and has a great heft. It just has a lot of great qualities that pictures just don't portray, they must be felt. This is just a tactile pleasure that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. I love my Kelmscott.

Of the other LEs, most I feel are fairly priced comparatively. But there are a few minor exceptions. Midsummer Night's Dream might be a bit overpriced. I'm not sure if this was an over reaction to the quick sellout of the Kelmscott, or if they priced it more conservatively since they may have lost money on the Kelmscott (this was their second LE to ship). That is not to say that I dislike it. It still has several features that I love. The cover is great, both the feel of the leather, the multi-color art application. The paper is higher quality than most EP books, the tissue, the tipped in illustrations, the clamshell box. I really like this book. However, I think this should have been priced around $350-400. That is why I feel they still have copies, despite this being their lowest run LE. That said, I would still buy it again. (But my user name should be some indication that I am a bit partial to Shakespeare, so I couldn't pass it up.)

Yes, I like my Meditations, but this had more "standard" EP features than the other LE books. The cover is comparable to most of my other EP books, the paper is their normal high quality. At $200, this is their lowest price LE, but I would really recommend this one. The tissue, hand tipped pictures, slipcase and limited publishing is what sets this apart, and is cause for this being a bit more than normal offerings.

I think EP is still figuring out what to do with these LEs. If you look at the offerings as well as their features, it looks to my like they are experimenting to see what works, what people find reasonable, and what people will pay for. At $100/book the Lincoln set is reasonable. I won't buy these (I do have a budget), but if this were a strong interest of mine I don't think I would mind paying it. It looks like it may never have actually been published by them before, but that being said I WOULD be concerned if EP started that trend. If it is truly limited, it should be more exclusive.

That said, I'll shut up. My comments aren't limited, but maybe they should be. :)

updated 1/20/11
I've included a little more info about each LE.

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425, includes clamshell -$600 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400, includes slipcase -$600 (a few left) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107377#
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250, includes clamshell -$500 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500, includes slipcase -$200 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600, includes slipcase -$450 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800,includes slipcase -$396 Ships approx Feb 16
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$396 Ships approx Jan 15th
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$356 Ships approx March 21
Lincoln A History (10 Volume Set) -limited to 400 -$999

Personally, I would like to thank EP for keeping Lincoln under a $1000. That extra dollar I save will go a long, long, way in today's economy :P

If anyone is interested in selling their Chaucer or History of the Indian tribes in fine to as new condition I am interested in buying at a reasonable price.

I wonder if EP read this thread yesterday. The former Lincoln set, 2140, has been removed from the website and the new LE set, 2725, is now there; however, they haven't yet posted a picture for the current set.

57: define reasonable price? Since both sets are sold out, people are going to be asking more than the EP price. Especially Kelmscott is super expensive. Even the typically ovepriced places are totally sold out. For example, here's a used Kelmscott that sold for $1500

http://www.veryfinebooks.com/Easton_Press_Geoffrey_Chaucer_Limited_Leather_p/ep3...

Myself, I'm not looking for the Kelmscott, however I would love to trade for Indian Tribes, or Notebooks, or even Midsummer Night's Dream, if anyone is interested (lots of EP books for trade :)

>57 Highgate: Reasonable price would be up for negotiation. I've seen the 2 amazon copies of the Chaucer for sale for $2,000+ for awhile but I don't think that's 'reasonable' for me. I understand that it is out of print and would sell for more than EP's initial price, the question how much more is an open question and if anyone is interested in selling I'd happily negotiate and see if a mutually agreeable price could be reached.

>60 Highgate: Tread lightly, Highgate. One of those Amazon Kelmscotts belongs to none other than our resident astropi, who was busted by AgaEP at post #29 of this thread. In astropi's defense, it is the least expensive copy I could find through a quick online search.

>41 Highgate: Easton Press has not made a non-deluxe, non-limited edition of the Michaud's History of the Crusades.

61: actually the Kelmscott belongs to a close friend, who originally purchased the tome with much aniticipation, then decided he didn't really need it. I was offered the chance to purchase it for the EP price, but turned it down (for better or worse), and he has since asked me to help him sell it. His asking price is $2000, which I think is very high, but it is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unopened copy.

I don't know how close your friend is but if I were you and my friend wasn't too close I would tell him I've reconsidered and buy the Kelmscott for the E/P price and then sell it to Highgate for something less than $2000.00 but something more than $594.00. I might even split the difference with my friend. After all, your friend doesn't really want it and doesn't mind if he transfers the value to you for far less than he might to someone else. Your friend has asked you to help him sell it. Highgate wants it. You'd be helping your friend sell it, helping Highgate own it, and helping yourself to a little financial gain for your trouble. Sounds like a win-win-win to me.

Otherwise, why not ask your friend to place it on Ebay with a starting bid of $594 and see what happens? I'm sure you would walk away with more than that. Right Highgate?

Either scenario makes sense to me. The first probably more so given that Ebay will take its commission and make all parties worse off as a result.

To be fair, my friend offered to sell it to me for the EP price after he received the book and before prices took off. I would only ask him to sell it to me for the EP price right now if I was going to keep it (but I'm really not that interested in it, despite all the acclaim it has received). He's actually the guy who originally got me into EP, FS, and high quality books in general (sometimes I ask myself if that's a good thing or not :)

>65 astropi:, astropi, I think you should seriously question his friendship. Was this introduction so that you could share in the pleasure, or some twisted need to drag others to share in his deranged biblio-dependency?

I think he is a pusher! Hey kid, have you ever tried reading one of these?

66,67: indeed, he may be like a leper that wants others to share in his fate! Perhaps he well knew what he was doing "Look at these lovely illustrations. Now take a whiff of that smell... ah yes, do you see the leather. Doesn't it feel good? I know you want it... wah-hahahaha!"

The Cassell's arrived today. It's a large book -- almost as tall as the Crusades volumes, but significantly shorter than the 1611 King James Bible.

According to the title page, the book has over 800 engravings (there is a long list of illustrations at the front of the book). The only problem is that the book does not specify which engravings are by which artists. Quite a few 19th-century artists contributed to this edition. For some of these pictures, the artists' signatures are apparent; it's extremely difficult telling which illustrations are by Dore (it doesn't really matter, though, since all of the engravings are of similar quality).

I will be photo-challenged for a few more weeks, so if there is someone else who can post pictures, it would be appreciated.

Does anyone know the media code for "The Romance of King Arthur" LE.. I tried to place an order but they are telling me they cannot find it in their system without the code...

The item number is 2671, don't know what the media code is.

Even BIGGER news. EP has released "William & Kate: A Royal Love Story"!!!!

You can view it here:
http://www.eastonpressbooks.com/leather/product.asp?code=2749

72>

Just think if this book were a Deluxe Limited Edition, numbered and signed by the two of them...

>72 Arknight:: C'mon! It's a companion piece to these other must-have classics:

The Royal Wedding Photograph Album,

Diana, Princess Of Wales (commemorative edition),

Diana: An Amazing Life, The People Cover Stories 1981 – 1997,

Diana: The Portrait,

Diana: Unseen Archives

Hey, Easton Press! How about a leather bound copy of Charles & Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair too?

>74 wailofatail:

Looks like the beginning of a new collection to me....

Hahaha! I have been WAITING for someone to make a snarky remark about "William & Kate". Thank you.

I imagine they market this type of book to the same folks who purchase Diana dolls from the Danbury Mint.

74: Wailofatail, if I didn't already know it, I now have proof -- you really have archived every book EP ever published.

updated 2/2/11
added 451

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425, includes clamshell -$600 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400, includes slipcase -$600 (a few left) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107377#
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250, includes clamshell -$500 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500, includes slipcase -$200 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600, includes slipcase -$450 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800,includes slipcase -$396 Ships approx Feb 16
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$396 Ships approx Jan 15th
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$356 Ships approx March 21
Lincoln A History (10 Volume Set) -limited to 400 -$999
Fahrenheit 451 -Signed by Ray Bradbury -limited to 700, includes slipcase -$195 (selling fast, please purchase before resellers eat them all up!)

I'd love to keep a copy of Fahrenheit 451 out of the grasp of a reseller, but I can't seem to find the item number. Any help?

I think this and The Romance of King Arthur will make up my very first EP order! I'm so pleased to be moving into previously unexplored depths of poverty!

>78 SpoonFed: Item number is 2708.

>79 Tom41: Thank you!!

Since I've talked myself out of the Romance of King Arthur I might take up Fahrenheit or the Aurelius. Not sure which I'd prefer (vastly different works I guess but both of interest to me).

Just adding the item numbers to astropi's list

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425, includes clamshell -#2290, $600 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400, includes slipcase -#2537, $600 (a few left) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107377#
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250, includes clamshell -#2289, $500 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -#2563, $500 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500, includes slipcase -#2548, $200 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600, includes slipcase -#2550, $450 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800,includes slipcase -#2630, $396 Ships approx Feb 21
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -#2597, $597 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800, includes slipcase -#2564, $396 http://www.librarything.com/topic/108713
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800, includes slipcase -#2671, $356 Ships approx March 21
Lincoln A History (10 Volume Set) -limited to 400 -#2725, $999
Fahrenheit 451 -Signed by Ray Bradbury -limited to 700, includes slipcase -#2708, $195 (selling fast, please purchase before resellers eat them all up!)

Oh, and for those of you getting Divine Comedy, EP customer service said that they expect to get it mid-Feb with a ship date later that month. This looks like it should be one of the better LEs.

Does anyone have the flyer for The Divine Comedy?

I have it, but I think it was also posted on the first LE thread, I may be wrong.

The flyer for Divine Comedy is in this thread here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/99707

In case anyone might be interested in a cheaper version of the Divine Comedy; I have found that this is one of the nicer books in the Barnes & Noble "leatherbound classics" collection. I know its not genuine leather, but it does have the same illustrations and there is 1 about every other page. You can see it here:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Divine-Comedy/Dante/e/9781435103849/?itm=7&...

On the topic of "genuine leather" does anyone know what grade of leather Easton books use?

>88 Highgate:, "Premium" of course!

I don't know. That is all they put in their marketing literature. Although we have had other discussions about differences in leather since some books seem to have a much different texture than others.

>87 Arknight:, I never realized that the BN edition had the Dore illustrations. I only have a couple of the BN books. I'm still looking forward to my EP edition, but thanks for that information.

I see that Easton Press has created a category by subject on their web site especially for 'Deluxe Limited Editions'. I'm amused that they've included the 'Kelmscott Chaucer' even though it has been sold out longer than the category has existed, perhaps before it even made it on-line. Of course, it has the big, bold, red "SOLD OUT" stamped across the picture. They've also included the sold out History Of The Crusades and the sold out History Of The Indian Tribes Of North America.

You might have thought since they are limited editions that won't be reprinted and since they are sold out that they wouldn't have bothered. But I guess it helps create a sense of urgency, not to mention to provide evidence that people do actually spend that much money on a single book.

Even so, they haven't yet included The Romance Of King Arthur or The Divine Comedy so this site is officially still more current than Easton Press' own web site, thanks to our resident VIPs with scanners.

I figure they included those three sold outs because they may have a few to sell some time in the near future like the KJB. A few months after it sold out, its back in stock from cancelations or what not. At least I'm hoping they will have a few at some point.

It never hurts for a company to advertise that their products are so desirable they sell out. The Folio Society does the same thing with their Limited Editions. Now, the real question is: will EP ever revamp their pathetic webpage?

Just opened my mail, and here's another LE?:

While Mortals Sleep
Unpublished Short Fiction
by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Signed by author, limited to 800 hand-numbered copies.
3 payments of $45

Does this count as an LE or just a signed edition?

I don't think that While Mortals Sleep is a deluxe limited edition like the others we have been discussing, but a regular signed and limited edition. In my opinion E/P is pushing it as LE edition due the death of Vonnegut.

>93 indigosky:: Really, it is just a signed edition, though indeed, it is strictly limited on account of Mr. Vonnegut's death. As LucasTrask points out, it is not a deluxe edition.

Considering the other Signed First, it will likely take a few years until many start increasing the demand. Are there really only 800 printed?

That's what I was thinking. The way they worded the flyer makes it sound like a LE, but I figured it wasn't a "true" LE.

New shipping timeline for Lincoln: Sorry! This item is currently on backorder and will not be available until June 24, 2011. You may still order this product and we will ship it as soon as it becomes available.

1611 once again out of stock: Sorry, this item is currently out of stock

I wonder if they unbounded some of the other signed editions they had laying around of Vonnegut in order to get his signature into this book? They always seemed to have a glut of his books.

I see that Gilded-Legacy has the Dante/Dore LE up on ebay for $519 BIN. I haven't even had the first payment charged to my credit card yet. Has anyone received this LE?

>99 jlabeatnik: EP tips in signature pages; therefore, they do not need to unbind anything.

100: What I bet happens is that these resellers purchase their copy and ask EP to ship it as quickly as possible (one-day probably). Therefore they try to put them on ebay before anyone beats them to it.

>100 Tom41:,102, yeah, this should ship this coming week, so if they expedite it from EP, they should be able to turn around and get it to their sucker, I mean customer, in a reasonable time.

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, 600 copies, $199.80, 4 payments of $49.95, #2747

*sigh*

Just when I was sure I am not buying any more expensive books for a while and they publish one of my favorite books.

It will be a few months before it is ready, I'm sure. I talked to them and of course they had no timeline as of yet.

I need one of these.

Nice! Definitely worth the price!

updated 2/22/11
added Swift

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425, includes clamshell -$600, #2290 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400, includes slipcase -$600, #2537 (a few left) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107377#
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250, includes clamshell -$500, #2289 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500, #2563 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500, includes slipcase -$200, #2548 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600, includes slipcase -$450, #2550 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 800,includes slipcase -$396, #2630
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597, #2597 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$396, #2564
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$356, #2671 Ships approx March 21
Lincoln A History (10 Volume Set) -limited to 400 -$999, #2725
Fahrenheit 451 -Signed by Ray Bradbury -limited to 700, includes slipcase -$195, #2708 (selling fast, please purchase before resellers eat them all up!)
Gulliver's Travels-limited to 600, includes clipcase -$199.80, #2747

Just opened a flyer for "The Fables of Aesop". Two volume deluxe LE. 600 copies, 112 vintage engravings. Four payments of $125.00

>109 LonghornRancher: Is it possible to post a scan / item number?

Looks like EP is really stepping up the pace for these LEs. I better find a way to make more money in order to keep up.

Item /media code is 2721/A002

111> EP is really stepping up the pace for these LEs

I may end up canceling one or more of my series subscriptions (Adventure? - Military History? - Reader's Choice?), just to support my DLE habit. The idea would be to spend the same amount of money -- differently.

This does not bode well for the future given the pace that they publish these LE, well at least not financially.

Luckily for me I have no interest in neither "Gulliver's travels" or "The Fables of Aesop"

The only available or planned and not released LE that I would like to have now is Dante.

114- You can order Dante now, I did so today and it is shipping right away.

113- I agree, I'm thinking of dropping two of the four subs that I have. I'm afraid that will be no where close to enough though.

None of you need concern yourself with either of these two, new Limited Editions because I have already called and ordered 600 copies of the Fables Of Aesop and 600 copies of Gulliver's Travels. I'm going to save them for future collectors who will value them more than all of you and will pay me for keeping all of your filthy paws off of them. They will thank me for carefully and meticulously storing them for that day next month when they discover they would have been available except for my thoughtful consideration.

I am also going to raise the question once again as to just how limited these 'Limited Editions' are relative to any of EP's other non-limited editions. I'm guessing the print run for William & Kate: A Royal Love Story is not much greater than 600 copies either. We've already established that John G. Nicolay and John Hay's Lincoln: A History was originally developed as a standard issue release and I haven't discovered anything particularly unique about the 'Limited Edition' other than the copy number. Oh! Except for the fact that we sit around and ponder standard issues whereas we race out to buy the 'Limited Editions' before they run out. C'mon. William & Kate: A Royal Love Story is going to run out too, though perhaps not before the actual royal love affair does if history is any indication.

Which brings me to another thing that makes me go 'hmmmmm'. Back in the '90's Easton Press sent me a flyer advertising a special edition of Ulysses by James Joyce illustrated by Henri Matisse and limited to 750 numbered copies, of which I ran out and bought copy #257. Ulysses you ask, illustrated by Matisse? Isn't that the edition that is included in the 'Great Books Of The 20th Century' collection? Why, as a matter of fact, it is, cover design and all! This edition has been re-printed so many times that my premium priced 'numbered' edition is not worth a fraction of the amount I paid for it. So is the difference between the 'Limited Editions' that are the subject of this thread and any possible future publications of these books merely the copy number?

Hmmmmm.

Wail, you're just trying to take the fun out of this aren't you? You think they only printed 600 copies of William & Kate? I would have thought at least 10,000, considering the demand is certainly very high. That makes me wonder how many copies would EP sell you if you called and said you wanted all 600 copies of Gulliver's.

Wasn't all copies of that limited Ulysses #257?

Very funny, Wootle. Very funny. ; )

It's a good point that wail brings up. How limited are these? Well, to be fair, thus far I am not aware of any of these particular books+illustrators (see message #108) having been printed by EP before, save the Fahrenheit 451. EP has previously released two editions of 451, one which is ulimited and NOT signed by Bradbury, and another limited edition which was signed by Bradbury. Neither release included a slipcase, nor did they include the extra artwork. However 451 is a unique case, since it was originally an LEC book in the first place.

That said, I am VERY happy with these LEs thus far. I think the illustrations are beautiful, and the overall quality is superb! Is it possible that EP will release these in an unlimited run? It's always possible, but unlikely. Even if they did, chances are the books would be smaller, and not include all the illustrations (those get expensive to print), not to mention they would not include all the unique trademarks of a LE (marble endpages, slipcase, special paper, etc).

So my view, I hope EP continues along this trend! I think that in many ways they are becoming the new LEC. If you go and look at LEs from the Folio Society, many of those are very beautiful, but far more expensive than what EP is charging (not all mind you, but quite a few). So, I'm happy... well, broke but happy :)

Also, can someone who gets a flyer for the Aesop LE please scan it! Thanks!

Gullivers Travels is one of my favourite books. I love the visciousness and ingenuity of Swift's satire. So - you can guess what's coming - throwing caution to the wind in my usual reckless way, I have ordered this. In fact, whilst it's not cheap, it's not realy expensive for a LE - the FS LE's are usually more expensive than this.

The good news is that it doesn't ship until July so there's plenty of time to get your finances in order.

EP has updated their website and now include all the LEs except for Romance. Also, if someone can scan the Aesop flyer that would be appreciated!

updated 2/25/11
added Aesop

Kelmscott Chaucer -limited to 425, includes clamshell -$600, #2290 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/76834#1638294
King James Bible -limited to 400, includes slipcase -$600, #2537 (a few left) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107377#
Midsummer Night's Dream illustrated by Heath Robinson -limited to 250, includes clamshell -$500, #2289 http://www.librarything.com/topic/87814#2121961
History of the Crusades -limited to 600 -$500, #2563 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/98080
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius -limited to 500, includes slipcase -$200, #2548 http://www.librarything.com/topic/106501
Leonardo da Vinci: the Notebooks -limited to 600, includes slipcase -$450, #2550 http://www.librarything.com/topic/103870
The Divine Comedy (Dore illustrations) -limited to 400,includes slipcase -$396, #2630
The History of the Indian Tribes of North America -limited to 400 -$597, #2597 (SOLD OUT) http://www.librarything.com/topic/107300
Cassell's Illustrated Family Bible -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$396, #2564
The Romance of King Arthur -limited to 800, includes slipcase -$356, #2671 Ships approx March 21
Lincoln A History (10 Volume Set) -limited to 400 -$999, #2725
Fahrenheit 451 -Signed by Ray Bradbury -limited to 700, includes slipcase -$195, #2708 (selling fast, please purchase before resellers eat them all up!)
Gulliver's Travels-limited to 600, includes slipcase -$199.80, #2747
Fables of Aesop-limited to 600, includes slipcase -$500, #2721

>122 astropi:

Astropi, could you change the # of copies for "Divine Comedy" to reflect the actual print run (if possible)? Thanks!

I thought it might be fun to stack up all the DLEs. That should be all of them except the Cassells which I did not purchase. Just received the Dante's today, and they are larger than I had anticipated.

Thanks for the pics! Do you have a favorite? What about a least favorite?

>124 Wootle:

Wow, wow, I am gobsmacked. I almost don't want to ask you to show us your bookcases and other collections.

Hehe, gobsmacked... nice adjective :)
I too, would like to see more pics from Wootle.

125- My favorite by far is the Kelmscott, then the Crusades and then the Dantes. Not really a least favorite yet, some of course of lesser quality, but also a lower price, so not really comparable to each other.

126- I'm not going to show collection pics yet, as I am still in process of building cases. I have to re-plan one area for these DLEs that were not in the plan since they just recently showed up. I am working on the Signed 1st of Science Fiction, and once I have half of them on hand I will start posting those on a new thread. All 274 of those are going to look fabulous together.

Wow wootle, how do you pay for all that?

I know this has been discussed a lot elsewhere but how do you find the limited Fahrenheit? I'm still thinking on it!

129- I'm independently wealthy. Not. Nice books are my priority over other trivialities like movies and eating out. Spaced out payments help also. I like the 451, the multi-colored design is great. Is it worth triple the standard edition? Maybe. Would I buy it again, probably.

>130 Wootle:

Thanks for the non-commital answer! Now I've gone from a maybe to a possibly!

I'm wondering if I'd rather hang on for the Gulliver's or save up for something like the Dante. All 3 are books worthy of LEs and all 3 are books I don't currently have a decent edition of.

I've been prioritising books over... well most things really, but still don't have any deluxe limited editions or many signed firsts. I guess a few payrises and a few years down the line I hope to have such a collectiong though :)

Looking forward to further pictures.

If I had to decide between those three, the Dantes would win easily. Buy the Great Books of the 20th Century edition of 451 and have a nice copy for $59.70. I wouldn't wait to long for Dante though, I imagine it will only last a month or two, it is of similar quality as Crusades and those didn't last long.

>132 Wootle:

When you say 'Buy the 20th Century edition of 451' do you guys literally just ask for a single book from a series? As my Easton rep lady has said that I can't do this, and that at best i can give a list of books I already have and therefore do not wish to receive (though I then don't know what's stopping me from giving a list of 99 books I don't want to receive out of the 100, other than I'd have to wait until the appropriate print run to receive anything).

My one issue with the Dante is there are so many other deluxe Dante's around, including several with Dore illustrations (which is similar to the point you made about 451). Plus I guess the fact it's twice as expensive as the others.

Does the regular 451 have the same illustrations as the deluxe? (minus the new ones of course)

I have ordered one book out of a series with no problems. If for some reason they will not let you do that, then just start the subscription via email and tell them you want 451 as your second book, be sure to mention receiving The Great Gatsby for $10.90 as the intro book, then cancel the subscription after receiving 451. Of course there are used copies availible on ABE for $50 and up, and you could probably get one off ebay for $50 if you work on it.

I would think Gullivers also has a lot of nice editions out there that could be bought for less than the LE will be. So I guess it is up to you to decide if you really want to pay more for the Easton Dante, or another editon of similar quality. All of these DLEs have other nice editons in the wild, just depends on what you prefer I suppose.

I don't have the regular editon 451 handy at the moment, so I can't compare easily. I would think someone from the 451 thread could do so though. I do remember that the deluxe had some extra illustrations.

>124 Wootle:

You have made both friends and very very jealous enemies with your collection, my friend :) Few points:

1) That bible is WAY bigger than I thought it was.
2) You keep your books wrapped?

135- I was afraid of that. I almost didn't post them, didn't want it to seem like bragging, I just thought they looked really nice altogether and thought a few others would think so also. I think a few others here also have them all, even if they won't admit it.

Crusades is still wrapped because I don't have a safe space for them yet, don't want to take a chance with messing them up since they don't have a slipcase, and I have looked through them before with the damaged set I returned to EP, so I can wait until I have a better setup before opening them up. Midsummer is still wrapped because I just haven't been in a Shakespeare mood since I bought it, although I know I will be soon enough and would have kicked myself for not having bought it.

The 1611 is a giant, at least it has a slipcase. It looks like this is a trend with all the DLEs now, slipcase on all of them. Perhaps EP will make one availible retroactively for the Crusades, or like astropi, I may have to make one myself.

136: I'm sure he was joking (mostly :)
Seriously, I would love to see pics. Not just of EP books mind you.

>136 Wootle:

I think we can all agree they look incredible together. What I'd personally like to see is how you're going to put all of them on a single shelf (rather than on a desk). Might want to consider some rebar before pouring the concrete!

>137 astropi:

Joking about what? :)

They will have their own unit, not shelf. The larger ones will be laying on their sides on their own shelf.

Should the Leonardo's lay flat or upright to avoid text block sag?

They are large enough they will get a lot of sag over the years, so technically flat would be best. I am planning on leaving vertical and making some blocks for the bottom to prevent it once I get my new shelving built. Right now they are horizontal.

2767 The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: /500 6@$125.00 ($750.00)
http://www.eastonpressbooks.com/leather/product.asp?code=2767

This one seems to be a little bit over priced, but I guess I'll wait and see what they look like. 3 volume set. Also a little surprised they are choosing this story since it hasn't been that long since the Kelmscott was released.

•All 36 of William Russell Flint's original watercolor illustrations, beautifully restored, and hand-mounted on special paper.